Ray E. Cramer holds a BA in Education from Western Illinois University, an MFA from the University of Iowa, Honorary Doctorates from Western Illinois University and the VanderCook College of Music. In 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Professorship at the Musashino Academia of Musicae in Tokyo.

Ray E. Cramer was a member of the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music faculty from the fall of 1969 through May 2005. In 1982, Mr. Cramer was appointed Director of Bands. Under his leadership the Indiana University Wind Ensemble earned an international reputation for outstanding musical performances.

He is a past National President of the College Band Directors National Association, The American Bandmasters Association and has served as president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association, the North Central Division of CBDNA and the Big Ten Band Directors Association. He is the Past President of the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra convention held in Chicago each December.

Mr. Cramer has received numerous awards over the years including the Edwin Franko Goldman award (2002), The MENC Lowell Mason Fellow medallion (2003), Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor (2005), Bands of America Hall of Fame (2006), The Northshore Concert Band Lifetime Achievement Award(2006). He has received the 17th Japan Academic Society of Winds, Percussion and Band Award (2007). In December of 2008 he was named The Academy of Wind and Percussion Artshonoree by the National Band Association. In 2009 the John Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award. Also in 2009 he was elected into the prestigious National Band Association “Hall of Fame of Distinguished Conductors”.

Mr. Cramer is actively involved in clinics and guest conducting engagements nationally and internationally. He serves as a regular guest conductor for the Musashino Academia of Musicae in Tokyo, Japan that began in the fall of 1990 and continues to the present. He and his wife Molly reside in Colorado Springs.

Jay S. Gephartjoined the faculty of Purdue University in the fall of 1995 after having completed 12 years as a public school band director. In July of 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure and in 2009 was promoted to Full Professor. In November, 2006, Professor Gephart was appointed Director of University Bands. He currently serves as Director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band and the Purdue University Wind Ensemble. He is also coordinator of the concert band program. From 1995-2006, Professor Gephart served as the music director for the Purdue Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Gephart received a Master of Music Degree in Performance with High Distinction from Indiana University in 1988 and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with Distinction from Indiana University in 1983. Under his direction, the Purdue Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra have shared the stage with some of the nation’s outstanding soloists and have represented Purdue at the Indiana Music Educator’s Association state convention on two occasions. In February of 2012 the Purdue Wind Ensemble performed a concert at the national convention of the American Bandmaster's Association, held in Indianapolis. He has also served as a guest conductor, clinician, lecturer and adjudicator both nationally and internationally. He has commissioned numerous works for wind band, including "Anthem" by Steven Bryant which was premiered in 2011 celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Purdue Bands.

In May, 2008, he traveled with the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band to Beijing, China to perform in the “Meet in Beijing” International Arts and Music Festival prior to the Olympic Games and in 2006 his Purdue Symphonic Band performed at the New York Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall. Professor Gephart has conducted All-State Bands in Indiana and Arkansas and served as a clinician at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. In 1997, he was selected to conduct the music camp honor band for the Department of Education in the Northern Region of Queensland, Australia. In his career he has been the recipient of many awards and honors including the Indiana Outstanding Bandmaster Award and the Purdue University New Professional Award.

Mr. Gephart has been very active in various professional organizations including Music Educator’s National Conference, National Band Association, College Band Director’s National Association, Indiana Bandmaster’s Association, Indiana Music Educator's Association and Phi Beta Mu. From 2010-12, he served as President of the Big Ten Band Director’s Association and currently holds the position of Vice President and Treasurer of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He is also a member of the NBA Revelli Composition Contest selection committee. In 2012, he was elected to a position on the board of the National Band Association, serving as the Collegiate Representative. Professor Gephart was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association in 2008 and now serves on the ABA Board of Directors He, his wife Jana and their family reside in Lafayette, Indiana.